Circular-knitting machine



(N0 Modl. 4 Sheets-Sheet1 I A. J. GULIOH.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

,712'. Patented May 26, 1896.

Wilgzsses (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. J. GULIGH. CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 560,712. Patented May 26, 1896.

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Wilgcsscs ANDREW B.GRANAM. PHDTOYIJTHOWASHINGTDND L (No Model.)4Sheets-Sheet 3.

A. J. GULIOH.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE. No. 560,712. Patented May 26, 189 6.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

A. J. GULIGH.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 560,712. Patented May 26, 1896.

UNrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ASHLEY J. GULICH, OF OLEARFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINE.

SYECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,712, dated May 26,1896.

Application filed February 28, 1895. Serial No. 540,090. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, ASHLEY J. GULICH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Clearfield, in the county of Olearfield and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Circular Knitting Machine,of which the following is a specification. i

The presentinvention aims to improve that class of circulanknittingmachines in which the needles are reciprocated in their guideways in thecylinder by means of a rotating ring provided with actuating-cams and inwhich the cylinder and cam-ring are interchangeable with others to adaptthe main frame and rim'rotatin g mechanism for cylinders and cam-rin gsof diffierent sizes, whereby the same machine can be used for knittingseamless fabrics of varying sizes within the capacity and limits of themachine. 1

An essential feature of the invention is the provision of means forautomatically taking up the yarn during the process of knitting the heelof hosiery when the cam-ring is rotated in reverse directions to formthe required rows of stitching; necessary to turn the heel and duringthe time that the cam portion of the cam-ring is passing out of the pathof the needles used for forming the said heel.

A further purpose of the invention is to simplify the construction ofthe cam-ring and theformation of the track, whereby the needles arereciprocated during the process of knitting, said cam-ring being formedof an upper and a lower part, the top edge of the latter forming thetrack and lower wall for the needles to travel upon.

A still further purpose of the invention is to provide a simpleconstruction for the interchangeability of the cam-rin g and cylinderand the corresponding adjustability of the yarn-carrier, so that whenchanging the machine from forming fabric of one size to another all theparts will cooperate in the same manner as if specially constructed anddevised for knitting a fabric of a given and required size. 1

For a full and clear understanding of the invention reference is to behad to the accompanying drawings and the subjoined description. 1 i

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a circularknitting machine constructedin accordance with and embodying the vital features of the invention.Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a" plan view ofthe machine. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the base, the operating partsbeing detached. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the toothed ring. Fig. 6 is asectional detail view of the rotatable cam ring. Fig. 7 is a sectionaldetail view of a modified form of rotatable cam-ring. Fig. 8 is a detailview of thecam-ring shown in Fig 6, with the parts separated andarranged in a relative position. Fig. 9 is a view of an interchangeablering for a cylinder of smaller size than that contemplated by the otherfigures of the drawings. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of theyarn-carrier. Fig. 11 is a view showing the application of the yarn-lockwhen the take-up is compensating and preventing slack in the yarn duringthe time that the yarn-carrier is returning after the cam of therotatable cam-ring has passed fully beyond the series of needles usedfor forming the heel and prior to the return of the said cam by areverse movement of the rim to form another row of stitches in theformation of the heel. Fig. 12 is a detailview showing the mechanism foradjusting the V-cam, whereby the tension of the stitch is regulated.Fig. 13 is a detail view in section of the parts shown in Fig. 12, so asto illustrate more clearly the means for securing the V-cam in thelocated position. i

The numeral 1 represents the frame orbase of the machine and is circularin outline and provided at one side with a clamp 11, by means of whichthe machine can be readily secured to a table, shelf, or similarsupport.

This base is rabbeted in its inner peripheral edge to form two seats 30and 31 at different relative heights to support, respectively, thetoothed ring and the cam-ring, which parts travel upon their respectiveseats. Projecting inward from the base are a series of brackets 32,located at proper intervals and designed to support the cylinder 4.These brackets 32 curve downward between their ends to give clearancefor the toothed ring 8, and their horizontal portions have slots 33,through which the fastenings 3a pass, by means of which theinterchangeable rings or plates 12 are attached to the said brackets. Apendent bracket 6 is secured to the base 1 at a convenient point and isprovided at its lower end with a bearing in which is journaled a shortshaft 35, having secured to its inner end a gear-wheel 5, which'mesheswith the toothed ring 8, so as to impart movement to the latter, saidshaft having a crank 7 on its outer end for convenience in impartingmotion to the operating parts when it is desired to perform work. Thisbracket 6 is de tachably connected with the base 1, preferably by meansof a bolt 30, passing through corresponding openings in the said bracketand a lateral extension of the base.

The cam-ring 37 has a horizontal flange 38 at its lower end, whichobtains a bearing upon the annular seat 31, and which is provided with acurved slot 39 for the passage of the yarn-carrier 9, attached to andcarried by the toothed ring 8, which carrier, by engaging the ends ofthe slots, imparts motion either of reciprocation or of rotation to thecamring. This curved slot 39 is located directly opposite theactuating-cams and is of a length corresponding to, approximately, thelength of the V-cam 18 and is provided to enable the yarn-carrier toreturn to a position opposite the active end of the cam withoutimparting any movement to the cam-ring 37.

It must be remembered that in the formation of the heel of a stocking acertain number of the needles are thrown out of operation and that theyarn is carried back and forth over those needles left in workingposition, so as form the requisite rows of stitches necessary in theturning of the heel. In the operation of the cam-rin g 37 it must movepast the last needle of the series a distance corresponding to thelength of'the V-cam 18, the yarn being carried a correspondingdistancearound the needles not used in forming the heel and which havepreviously been thrown out of operative position. Hence when moving thecam-ring in a reverse direction to form another row of stitches it isdesirable that the yarn-carrier reverse its position relative to the cam18 with out moving the cam-rin g 37. The provision of the slot 39enables the yarn-carrier to change its position relative to the cam 18,as will be readily understood from what has just been stated.

' The cam-ring 37 is composed of two parts 2 and 3, which are securedtogether by means of fastenings 40, which pass through lateralextensions of the upper part 3 and engage with corresponding projectionson the part 2. The upper part 3 has an inner flange 41 at its upper end,which limits the upward movement of the needles 24, and one portion iswidened, as shown at 42, to receive the V-cam 18 and the right and lefthand switclrdogs 19 and 20, the latter being pivoted at their opposingends and a short distance from the angle of the cam 18. The spacesbetween the opposing edges of the cam 18, flange 41, switch-dogs 19 and20, and the track 42 form passages for the projecting ends of theneedles in the operation of the machine. The

upper edge of the lower part 2 is widened so as to extend inward beyondthe wall of the part 3, thereby providing a track 43, which limits thedownward movement of the needles. That portion opposite the widened part42 of the upper part 3 is depressed or reduced in width, as shown at 44,corresponding with the increased width of the part 42, so that unitedlythe parts of the camring will be of uniform height throughout theirlength. That portion of the part 2 opposite the free ends of theswitch-dogs 19 and 20 may be formed on curved lines, as shown in Fig. 7or it may be cutaway and separate pieces 21 and 22 set therein, as shownin Fig. 6. In the latter construction these pieces 21 and 22 may be oftempered steel, so as to withstand wear. This construction is preferablein high-grade machines, as the life of the machine is prolonged.However, for general use the form shown in Fig. 7 will give satisfactoryresults and involves a cheaper construction. The V-cam 18 is verticallyadjustable to enable the tension of the stitch to be varied withincertain limits, its adjustment being effected by the following means: Anoblong projection 45 is attached to the \l-eam 18 and operates in avertically-disposed slot 46 in the part 3, and a clamp-screw 47 passesthrough a pivoted lever .48 to form attachment between the said lever 48and the projection 45. This lever 48 is pivoted at one end and theopposite end is bent outwardly, so as to be readily grasped when it isdesired to operate the lever to move the V-cam 18. 011 loosening theclamping-screw 47 the V-cam 18 can be raised or lowered by means of thelever 48 in the manner set forth, and after the proper position of thesaid V-cam is obtained it can be held in place by retightening theclamping-screw 47, as will be readily understood.

The yarn-carrier comprises a vertical extension 49, which is attached atits lower end to the toothed ring 8, an arm 50, adjustably connected atits lower end to the vertical extension 49 by a binding -screw 51passing through a slot in the lower end of the arm 50 and entering athreaded opening in the vertical extension 49, and a yarn-guide 10,which has its horizontal portion 52 slotted and secured to the upper endof the arm 50 by means of a bindingscrew 53, the inner end being bentinto an approximately inverted- U form, which is apertured for thepassage of the yarn 54. By this construction the arm 50 can be raisedand lowered to adjust the height of the yarn-guide 10 to the length ofcylinder, and the said yarn-guide can be moved laterally to adapt itsposition to the diameter or size of the cylinder with which itcooperates when feeding the yarn to the needles.

A standard 16 rises vertically from the base 1 and has a horizontal arm13 at its upper end, which is apertured at each end for the passage ofthe yarn. The take-up 15 is pivoted near its lower end to the innerportion of the arm 13 and is provided at its upper or yarn 54: passes.

free end with an eye 55, through which the A rod 56 has pivotalconnection with the lower end of the take-up 15 and its free end worksthrough a guide 57 at the end of the arm 13, contiguous to the pivotalsupport of the said take-up. A coiled spring 58 is mounted upon the rod56 and is confined between the guide 57 and the lower end of the take-up15, and serves normally to hold the take-up 15 at the limit of itsbackward movement from the forward end of the arm 13. A yarn-lock 14 ispivoted to the arm 13 and has an eye 59 at its free end, through whichthe yarn 54 passes, and is provided with a portion 60, which extendsover the arm 13 and is adapted to grip the yarn between the saidoverhanging portion 60 and the arm 13. The take-up 15 and the yarn-lock14 are of such relative lengths that when all the needles of the machineare in operation the eye 55 will occupy a position between the eye 59and the opening 61 in the outer end of the arm 13, thereby depressingthe free end of the yarnlock 14 and disengagingits clamping portion 60from the yarn, so as-to permit the free passage of the latter. However,when only a portion of the needles are in operation, as when knitting aheel in a stocking, the takeup will prevent any slack in the yarn whenthe yarn-carrier 9 carries the yarn past those needles not in operation,so as to permit the V-cam18 to completely pass by the last needle of theseries used forformin g the heel. When the take-up moves backward andaway from the arm 13, it lifts the outer end of the yarnlock 14 andcauses the inner portion 60 to' clamp the yarn, thereby preventing thetakeup from drawing the yarn from the bobbin 17 instead of compensatingfor the slack in the yarn which would otherwise occur.

The rings 12 will be provided in difierent sizes, and so constructed asto be interchangeably connected with the brackets 32 of the base,thereby admitting of cylinders of different sizes being fitted to thesame base of a single machine. It will be understood that the cylindersand cam-rings 37 will be provided in corresponding sizes, so that when acylinder is replaced by one of larger or smaller dimensions a cam-ringof corresponding size to cooperate therewith will also be provided andadapted to be applied to the base. All that is necessary to adapt thecam-rings of different sizes to the base is to vary the width of theflange 38, which for larger cylinders will be narrow and for smallercylinders wider, as will be readily understood.

The operation of the machine does not differ materially from machines ofthis type-that is, so far as the yarn is supplied to the needles and themanner of looping and forming the stitches are concerned. Assuming thatthe cam-ring 37 is continuously rotated in one direction, the passage ofthe lower ends of the needles will be that indicated by the arrows inFig. 6, which is over the right-hand switchdog 19 and under theleft-hand switch-dog 20. As the projecting ends of the needles pass overthe righthand switchdog and under the right-hand portion of the V-cam18,the needles will be reciprocated, so as to form the loop and slip thestitch, and in their passage from the angle of the cam 18 to theright-hand portion of the switch-dog 19 the said needles will remaininactive. On rotating the cam-ring 37 in a reverse direction the needleswill be reciprocated by traveling over the switch-dog 20, as will bereadily understood. These switch-dogs 19 and 20 operate by gravity andautomatically close the instant the needles pass from beneath theirlower edges to the elevated portion of the track 43. When it is requiredto form a heel, as in knitting stockings, the number of needles notrequired for use are drawn to their highest position, so as not to beengaged by the V-cam 18, and those needles required to form the rows ofstitches necessary to produce the heel are alternately acted upon by theswitch dogs 19 and 20 and the corresponding end portions of the V-cam18. During the process of forming the heel the cam-ring is turned backand forth by moving the crank 7 to the right and to the left the properdistance, so as to move the V-cam 18 the length of the needles in useand a further length corresponding to the extent of the said cam 18, sothat it may wholly clear the last needle of the series in each directionof its movement. It must be remembered that the yarn-carrieralwaysoccupies a position opposite the advancing end of the V-cam 18. Hencewhen said end passes the last series of the needles in use for formingthe heel it is obvious that the yarn will be advanced. After the rearend of the V-cam 18 has cleared the last needle of the series, the

' movement of the toothed ring 8 is reversed,

so as to carry the yarn-carrier 9 from that end of the cam 18 which waspreviously the advancing end to a point opposite the rear end of thesaid cam, which now becomes the ad vancing end on the return movement ofthe rim to form anew row of stitches. The slot 39 of the flange 38 ofthe cam-ring admits of this movement of the yarn-carrier, ashereinbefore set forth. While the yarn-carrier is moving so as to changeits relative position, the takeup will come into play and prevent anyslack in the yarn.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the operation of the machine iscomparatively simple and that heels can be turned in stockings in arapid manner Without requiring the exercise of skill on the part of theoperator. From what has been said it is obvious that changes in theform, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resortedto without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of theadvantages of this in- Vention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is-- 1. In acircular-knitting machine, the combination with the cylinder providedwith vertically-reciprocating needles, of a cam-ring composed of anupper and a lower part, the

top edge portion of the lower part extending? formed of an upper and alower part, the:

lower part having its top edge extending inwardly from the sides of theupper part to form a track, and the said upper part having an innerflange to cooperate with the track and having a widened portion which isfitted into a corresponding depression in the top edge of the said lowerpart, a V-cam attached to the widened portion, pivoted switch-dogslocated upon opposite sides of the V-can1, and wear-plates securedopposite the free ends of the switch-dogs and removably-hcld in place,substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

3. In a circular-knitting machine, the combination of a base havingbracket extensions projected from its inner edge and curving downwardlyand upwardly and terminating in horizontal portions formed with curvedslots, a toothed ring operating in the depressed portionof the brackets,a plate detachably and adjustably connected with the slotted ends of theaforesaid brackets, a knitting-cylinder mounted upon the said plate, anda cam-ring supported upon the base and operatively connected with thetoothed ring, substantially as set forth for the purpose described. I

4:. The herein shown and described take-up mechanism forknittingqnachines, comprising a standard having a horizontal armprovided at its ends with guide-eyes and having a guide at its rear end,an arm having pivotal connection with the horizontal arm between theends of the latter and having a portion operating loosely through thesaid guide, a spring mounted upon the rod and confined between the saidguide and the lower portion of the pivoted arm, whereby the latteriscapable of being thrown beyond a vertical line,

and a yarn-lock having pivotal connection with the horizontal arm andacting jointly therewith to clamp the yarn when the pivoted arm movesupward to take up slack,

substantially .in the manner specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ASHLEY J'. GULIOH. lVitnesses:

JOHN H. Sreenns, E. G. SIGGERS.

